Page 71 of A Lot Like Adiós
But one of his earliest regular PT clients had been a therapist, and Gabe had done a lot of talking while he’d worked on the guy. He understood enough about himself now to know this urge came from a need for validation from his father, and Gabe refused to indulge that need anymore.
As lukewarm as he’d once felt about bringing Agility to New York, now, more than ever, Gabe wanted it to be a hit. No matter what it took, he was going to make it happen.
When the meal was over, his mother brought out homemade flan for dessert.
“He always loved my flan,” Norma gushed to Michelle as they dug in. “¿Te gusta, Gabriel?”
“Sí, me gusta. Tan delicioso.” Despite the words of praise, Gabe’s voice came out strained. He shot a look at Michelle, who was watching him carefully. How could he tell them the sweet, slippery dessert tasted like home?
When they were done, his father got up and began collecting the dishes.
Michelle jumped to her feet. “I’ll help you, Esteban.”
“Ay, nena.” Esteban made a shooing motion with his free hand. “Siéntate. No es necesario.”
“My mother would kill me if I didn’t help clean up after enjoying such a wonderful meal.” Michelle took Gabe’s plate and gave him a meaningful look, then she was gone, leaving Gabe and his mother alone.
Norma reached across the table and took Gabe’s hand in both of hers.
“It’s good to see you,” she said, patting his hand.
“You too,” Gabe said in a low voice. Even with all the years and bullshit between them, it was true. He’d missed her.
Then she shot a look over her shoulder, to where Michelle and Esteban chatted easily over the running water in the sink.
“It’s been a long time,” his mother whispered, turning back to Gabe. “I know you were angry. But please don’t disappear again. He couldn’t take it if you did.”
Defensive anger rose up in Gabe.He?That was rich. She expected him to believe Esteban was upset at his disappearance?His father was the one who’d told him to go and never come back. All the calls and texts after that had come from his mother’s cell phone, until, in a moment of resentment and despair, Gabe had finally blocked the number.
In response, Gabe just gave a noncommittal nod. He wouldn’t make any promises on that front.
Michelle came back, wiping her hands on a paper towel. “Ready?”
Gabe got up and the four of them walked to the front door.
“Visit again, okay?” his dad said, slapping him on the back. “Before you go back to California.”
Gabe hesitated. He was supposed to leave the next day. But between the quinceañera this weekend, his sister’s demand that he visit her, and whatever was happening here with his parents—not to mention Michelle—he clearly needed to extend his stay.
“Okay,” he said. And then he was surprised when his dad smiled.
“Bueno. Hasta luego, mijo.”
Yes, Gabe would see them later. And he had a feeling they wouldn’t hold back next time.
They all hugged and kissed goodbye, and Gabe put his arm around Michelle as they walked the short distance back to her family home.
“You all right?” she asked in a quiet voice.
“I don’t know,” he replied honestly. “But... I’m glad you were with me.”
She slipped her arm around his waist and gave him a squeeze. Then released him to climb the steps and unlock the door.
Once they were back inside, Gabe’s shoulders sagged. “God, I’m exhausted.”
“That’s a shame.” Michelle toed off her sandals. “You went through a lot for those condoms. But if you need to rest, that’s fi—” She ended with a squeal as Gabe spun her into his arms for a kiss. When they came up for air, she looked dazed.
“You seem to have caught your second wind,” she murmured.
